The path to winning the 2025-26 Defensive Player of the Year award is relatively straightforward for OKC Thunder stud, Chet Holmgren, and, oddly enough, it has very little to do with how much he can improve his skills from years past to now.
Holmgren enters the season as the betting favorite behind San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama for the illustrious honor, but his candidacy hinges on one non-negotiable variable: availability.
Thunder star Chet Holmgren can win DPOY if he stays healthy
Last season, a hip fracture limited him to just 32 games, rendering him ineligible for the primary regular season awards under the league’s 65-game minimum rule.